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The Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) will implement a China-funded Tk 205 billion (20,500 crore) mega project to raise distribution capacity on its network in the capital, reports UNB.
Under the scheme, a total of 40 substations will be set up in the city while overhead cables of Hatirjheel Lake and Dhanmondi residential area will be laid underground in next 5 years.
Tabian Electric Apparatus (TBEA) Co. Ltd, a Chinese government-selected contractor will execute the biggest-ever distribution project in the DPDC’s mandated area in Dhaka city, that also includes some more projects bundled in.
In this regard, the DPDC on Wednesday signed a contract to appoint a joint venture consultant of Finland and Bangladesh—JV of Hifab & ECBL— to provide the consultancy services to implement the project.
Addressing the contract signing ceremony, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid warned the officials of DPDC about tough action in case of any negligence in its implementation, UNB says.
“We have to move forward with innovative ideas coming out of the box as we plan to implement mega project,” UNB quotes the minister telling the DPDC officials at the function at Bidyut Bhaban in the city.
He also termed the project as a historic one for Dhaka as funding for this project was signed during prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China in July last which was witnessed by Chinese president.
Nasrul Hamid said this project will play a vital role to modernise and digitised the power distribution network of Dhaka city as some substation will be constructed underground saving the land.
“These substations will have commercial and residential buildings on them like those were built in Tokyo city of Japan”, he said.
He said gradually all the overhead cables in Dhaka and other big cities will be installed underground.
DPDC managing director Bikash Dewan informed the function that of the planned substations, 14 will be of 123/33/11 kV and 26 will be of 33/11 kV capacity under the project titled “Expansion and Strengthening of Power System Network under DPDC area.
Capacity of 8 existing 132/33 kV and 4 33/11 kV substations will be enhanced under the project, he said, adding a modern SCADA will also be set up with the funds of the project.
The DPDC operates mainly in central, west and old part of Dhaka city and also most of Narayanganj city.
Once the project will be implemented, the capacity of 132 kV level will go up to 5330 MVA and 33 kV level to 4680 MVA, Bikash Dewan mentioned.
The Chinese contractor was selected for the project while Chinese Exim Bank will finance the project. Bikash Dewan said although the project was undertaken about 4 years back, delays in financial disclosure had held it up.
(PA)
